Ford's new active safety initiative hits the street (signs) [w/VIDEO]
Follow the jump for a video demonstrating the Smart Intersection
Newer technology like GPS and Wi-Fi have given us easy access to directions, and soon, in-car Internet. Ford is working with the federal government and other automakers to use that same technology to improve safety on our roadways as well. Since 40% of all accidents and 20% of automotive fatalities occur at intersections, stop signs and stop lights were the smart place to start.
The new "Smart Intersection" uses Wi-Fi and GPS to find the exact location of your vehicle and determine if a warning is needed to help you stop. When driving through an intersection, an on-site black box and two wireless antennae communicate with your vehicle. If the light is red and it's determined that your vehicle isn't stopping, a wireless signal will be sent to your car, alerting you with a visual and audible warning signal in a fraction of a second. A series of red LEDs will flash, a noise will sound, and a voice will say "stop sign" or "stop light". With drivers preoccupied with cell phones, in-car eating and sipping on java, the warning quickly refocuses his or her attention back to the road. We tried it ourselves, and we can tell you firsthand that the warnings quickly got us to stop the car.
The move toward active safety comes as most automakers are getting four or five stars in NHTSA crash testing, making the next focus of their efforts the avoidance of accidents altogether. The Smart Intersection could help save thousands of lives per year, while also cutting back the three billion gallons of fuel wasted each year in accident-related traffic jams. Honda, Toyota, GM, and Daimler are also working on smart intersections, and Ford collaborated with Michigan's Oakland County to set up a couple of real-world techno-intersections for testing. Unfortunately, it could take 20 years to get smart intersection technology in every traffic stop and vehicle, but at least much of the technology needed to accomplish this goal is already here. Follow the jump to see a video of the Smart Intersection in action.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Pips 4:42PM (7/13/2008)
new tech is good, but will result in more dumb and dumber drivers......
Reply
martin 5:55PM (7/13/2008)
sadly a lot fo drivers already are really really stupid, so anything to help them and stop them killing innocent people can only be good
PauloBecker 5:17PM (7/13/2008)
Hmm, wonder how long it'll take until they want to brake the car for you.
Reply
Cary 12:29AM (7/15/2008)
Yeah, 2014 Mercedes S600 will have it. Mercedes-Benz creates the curve, the S-class drives on it, everyone follows in suit.
G-Meister 6:11PM (7/13/2008)
Some systems (namely active cruise) do that now. As soon as one vehicle dynamics vendor (Conti, TRW, Bosch) feels they have a system ready, they'll start working to have a clueless Congress pass legislation to phase in the system. That's what happened with Stability Control and Tire Pressure Monitors.
Carla 8:15PM (7/16/2008)
That's just what I was thinking. I give it two years before big brother goes along for the ride!
AutoXN 5:29PM (7/13/2008)
What ever happened to PAYING ATTENTION when driving??? Sometimes I am embarrassed to be apart of where society is going. For shame.
Reply
Randy 8:54PM (7/13/2008)
I agree.
That's why it's so important to vote! We need to take care of the basics, not pave the future for a corporation dominated transit system that allows you to drive hands free so you can watch commercials while you're driving!
"This mile is sponsored by "Telepathy Inc. - Where lifting a finger is so 2008".
And the world goes round and round.....
Jason 9:34AM (7/14/2008)
I couldn't agree more. I feel like when people are driving now safely piloting there 4000+ lb vehicle is their LAST priority. I mean is it really that hard to stop at a red light. Do you really need to be doing a million other things while driving (cellphone, internet, eating etc)? I think some people just don't realize what a 4000lb vechicle at 50+ mph is capable of doing/destroying.
stecki 5:38PM (7/13/2008)
can they get this system to also tell people to go when the light turns green and get moving? that would help out as well...
Reply
Mike 6:03PM (7/13/2008)
In my experience, the guy behind you will actually alert you faster than the computer can. Usually about 10mS between green and honk (I usually give the courtesy of a 5 second wait before I honk, but I think I'm the minority).
Smeagle 2:19AM (7/14/2008)
I'm getting to the stage where I don’t bother being courteous anymore. I am sick of being indecisive because I’m trying not to be rude and giving the driver in front the benefit of the doubt. I think we should all just toot the horn as soon as the lights change. That way there is no etiquette issues or misinterpretation.
midnightsun 6:27PM (7/13/2008)
Why don't people just open their eyes when driving?
Reply
grummyso 2:33AM (7/14/2008)
Their eyes are opened but they look aboard and wandered: what’s there? 260km/h? Wow man I’m cool. Let’s speed it up. Too many………too many bad drivers on the road.
Mobius_1 3:06AM (7/14/2008)
Too busy calling people, eating hotdogs, and just generally doing anything but driving
Marques 12:04PM (7/14/2008)
Because! It's difficult to put on make-up, add more cream to the coffee, eat a sandwich, change the song on the radio, talk on the phone AND drive the car. Come on now. We have to prioritize. Obviously, the phone call can't wait...the song sucks that's on, I'm hungry, falling asleep and gotta cover up the bruise on my forehead from the last time I did all this and rear-ended the car in front of me. Lol. Please note the sarcasm
Artie Lange 6:40PM (7/13/2008)
I will not purchase a car with this technology, unless it can be turned off at my leisure.
As for people who sit at intersections after the light has turned green, most of the rest of the world cycles through the yellow light for both red and green light changes, allowing people to get ready to start driving again before the light turns green. I find that an inordinate amount of time is lost in my commute waiting for people to start moving again after a light has turned green.
Reply
Miguel 8:18PM (7/13/2008)
I just watch the other lights when my light is red. When the intersecting street turns red or when the opposite left-hand turn lane goes red, I know mine will be green shortly. I'm already prepped to go.
Situational awareness. Good thing to have. If only people would watch the surrounding environment when driving...
Joce03 6:45PM (7/13/2008)
This is a waste of technology the result of which will be drivers who pay less attention (than they already do), heavier cars (because of all the gadgets we put on them to think for us), and more expensive cars... (because of all the gadgets). And who pays for the updated intersections? Oh, yeah, we do!
And an accident at one of these new intersections could lead to some interesting lawsuits....
Reply
joystick 7:03PM (7/13/2008)
its a good idea with a bad implementation.
if drivers start getting used to being told to stop, they will fail to stop at intersections that dont have this system.
instead the system should be used to warn drivers of an impending accident only. this way, people dont get used to it, they can still get tickets for negligent driving, and the system becomes a risk mitigation strategy for problem intersections...instead of just another warning label.
Reply